Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-07-11
RUSSIAN EDITOR N. KATKOFF.
He Is Monarch of All He Surveys, and De
fes the Imperial Government,

He Is Monarch of All He Surveys, and De
fies the Imperial Government,
As NJ. Katkof is Just now the most
prominent person in the political as in
the journalistic world of Russia, it may
not prove uninteresting if l give you
some brief particulars of his pub
lie career, writes the Odessa CORE
spondent of the London News. Michael
Nikihrovitch Katkof was born at st Mos
cow in 1878, and is, therefore, now IN his
sixtv-ninth year. After being educated
in his native city NJ. Katkoff proceeded
to Konigsberg and subsequently to Ber-
lin, in both Of which places he diligently
pursued q course of studies preparatory
to professOrship in the University of
Moscow, where he in due course
filled the chair of philosophy. About
the year 1913 NJ. Kstkoff, like most of
the representatives of the intellect of his
country, became Suspect" and was sub
iected to the surveillance of the police.
At that period al the chairs Of philOso-
ply of Russia were abolished and of
course he ceased to occupy his. Suisse
quently he made frequent and lengthy Wis
its to friends in the Isle of Wight, and man
ifested q marked prediction for English
institutions. In 1856 he founded a
monthly review, the Russian Messenger,
which was at first q liberal organ, that is
as fsr as any Russian organ may be thus
termed. To the Russian Messenger
Tschedrin, the celebrated Russian sa-
tirist, was one Of the earliest cOntribu-
tors, and it was in that review he
first published his "Gubernskie
Otscherk" ("Sketches of Provincial
Life.") Turgeaef was also contributor
to the Messenger, in which first appeared
his "Otsy Dey'' ('Father and Som and
other works. In scholastic literature NJ.
Katkof wrote only two books-''On the
Elements and Forms OF the Slavo-
Russian Language" and "Sketch of the
Most Ancient Period of Greek Philo-
sophy.n He alone founded and edited
the Russian Messenger, but ne had
companion in the editorship of the Mos
cow GaZ cite, Professor Leontief, sn old
sChOOlfeliOW and colleague, and at
sll times close and inseparable
friend. NJ. Kslkof early displayed
strong imaginative power, and his
strength lay-in his best days, st least
less in criticism than in the creative fac
ulty. His guide, philosopher and friend
was Prof, Leontief, whom he afterwards
made director of his lyceum on the estab
liShment Of. that institution IN Moscow.
About two years previous to the last
Polish revolution NJ. Katkoff began an
onslaught against the unfortunate Poles,
which he carried on 50 ferCeIy that the
government inteTfered. This may be said
to have been the turning pOintin his career.
He deted the government. 1t ordered
him to publish its Censure for given
number of days in his own journal, under
6 penalty of 1900 rOubles q day. This
censure was worded so severely as to be
directly insulting to him. The first day
fixed for its publication arrived, but the
Moscow Gazette contained no hint of the
matter. The Russian newspapers we're
astOunded at NJ. Katof's temerity.
The penalty was imposed and paid
for eleven days. The Censure
the government ultimately returned the
fines. NJ. Katkoff obtained triumph.
Following close upon this event came
the Polish revolution of 1868. His prophe-
Cies were fulfilled. He was feted and fist
tered. DeputatiOns Of students from sill
the universities went to Moscow to con- |
graduate the far-seeing politician and
versatile scholar and journalist. Since
ttiat time M. Katkof has been powerful
factor in the imperial policy OF
the empire. Leontieff died about ten
years ago. This event produced such
deep effect on NJ. Katkoff that his life
was for some time despsired Of. In the
latter years Of Turgenef's life political
differences arose between NJ. Kstkoff and
the Russian publicist. After 1880, Tur-
genef's name never appeared in the
Moscow Gazette. When the great writer |
died, and the Russian press, in mourning
columns, teemed with lsUdstory obituary !
notices and biographical sketches Of the |
patriot, poet and novelist, the Moscow |
Gazette gave not the slightest notice Of |
the event.